Which gastrointestinal hormone increases appetite and stimulates growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary?

Study for the eatrightPREP Domain 2 Dietetics Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which gastrointestinal hormone increases appetite and stimulates growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary?

Explanation:
Ghrelin, produced mainly by the stomach, acts as a hunger signal and as a growth hormone secretagogue. Its levels rise before meals, promoting increased appetite by signaling the hypothalamus to activate neurons that drive feeding. At the same time, ghrelin binds to receptors on pituitary cells and stimulates the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary. The other GI hormones listed either suppress appetite or regulate digestion without prompting GH release, so they don’t fit the dual role described.

Ghrelin, produced mainly by the stomach, acts as a hunger signal and as a growth hormone secretagogue. Its levels rise before meals, promoting increased appetite by signaling the hypothalamus to activate neurons that drive feeding. At the same time, ghrelin binds to receptors on pituitary cells and stimulates the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary. The other GI hormones listed either suppress appetite or regulate digestion without prompting GH release, so they don’t fit the dual role described.

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